Lopez gets 2500th Hollywood star

Singer-actress Jennifer Lopez has been honoured with the 2500th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, joined by celebrities including Jane Fonda and watched by screaming fans.

"I really am overwhelmed," she said at Thursday's ceremony on Tinseltown's star-studded footpath, a tourist favourite.

"This all feels, I don't know, kind of surreal, but so real. It's awesome."

US rapper Pitbull and Nigel Lythgoe, former executive producer on American Idol on which Lopez was a judge, were also on hand, as well as Gregory Nava, who directed Lopez in 1997's Selena.

"She should have an entire block of stars," said Fonda, who co-starred with Lopez in Monster-in-Law in 2005, adding: "In my opinion, she's only scratched the surface of what she's capable of."

Nava called her "the hardest worker I have ever known" and recalled how Lopez told him: "Greg, I'm going to become the first Latina superstar. I'm going to have a No.1 movie and a No.1 record at the same time."

"And I said, 'Impossible, nobody does that.' Yeah. Impossible for everybody but Jennifer."

Fighting back tears, Lopez thanked the crowd, saying: "I love you, thank you so much for going on this journey with me.

"This landmark moment inspires me to work harder and dream bigger for all that is the future. I hope you feel as I do that it was all worth it, and I hope that I have touched your hearts even in a small way."

Known to her fans as J.Lo, Lopez made her leading lady movie debut in Selena, in 1997 - for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe - and went on to become a Grammy-nominated singer.

Her first studio album, On the 6, was released in 1999. She is soon to release her 10th album, possibly in November, according to media reports.

Lopez quit ratings-challenged American Idol last year, following fellow judge Steven Tyler out the door, although there have been rumours recently that she might return to the TV talent show.